Ideas for use of SF art school campus studied

SANTA FE — The working group assigned to recommend uses for the soon-to-be vacant Santa Fe University of Art and Design is slated to have a resolution ready by the end of the month, and ideas for potential uses will likely include more than using the campus as another education space.

Without disclosing specifics, Santa Fe Councilor Michael Harris told the city Economic Development Advisory Committee this week that while the initial conversations about the city-owned campus revolved around educational uses — and that’s still a part of the discussion — the working group wants to look at additional ways to create jobs, support the arts, address Santa Fe’s housing issues and other citywide goals.

In a statement he read from the group, he said it also recognizes an opportunity for “innovation and progress” through development in the midtown “link” area on St. Michael’s Drive that includes the university campus.

Harris also mentioned a City Council resolution supporting a look into what’s next for Santa Fe’s library system, as well as the possibility of a “21st century” facility. There has been some interest in using the university’s Fogelson Library for that project, he said.

The university, a for-profit school associated with Laureate Education, has announced it will close after the 2017-18 school year.